Coinbase Secures FCA Approval as UK Expands Crypto Oversight

Coinbase has received approval from the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a registered virtual asset service provider (VASP), marking a milestone for the crypto exchange’s expansion in the UK.

Strengthening Coinbase’s Position in the UK

This makes Coinbase the first crypto firm added to the FCA register in 2025 and the first since GSR Markets received approval in late December 2024. The registration allows Coinbase to serve retail and institutional customers and offer crypto-to-fiat services in the UK, now its largest market outside the US.

The approval comes less than a year after the FCA concluded its investigation into Coinbase Payments, which resulted in a £3.5 million ($4.3 million) fine for onboarding certain high-risk customers in violation of a 2020 voluntary agreement.

UK’s Crypto Ambitions

As the world’s sixth-largest economy, the UK has been positioning itself as a global crypto hub, with the FCA aiming to implement a full regulatory framework by 2026.

Coinbase’s successful registration further cements its presence in one of its most critical international markets, reinforcing its commitment to compliance and regulatory transparency.